DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 29 June 1927, Page 3

DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE

JAPAN'S ATTITUDE, (Australian it N.Z. Cable Association.) GENE) A, June 28. Mr IV. C. Bridgman (Britain), Baron Saito (Japan), and Mr Gibson (U.S.A.) at different tiroes yesterday used the remark: “There is no deadlock.” To-night’s gossip suggests that Baron Saito has newly been instructed to support Britain’s plea to extend the life of the capital ships, as being a definite means of lessening taxation. Lord Jellieoe, Admiral Field and Admiral Egerton attended a meeting this afternoon, as the result of which a fnil agreement was reached on the question of excluding from the terms of any Disarmaments Limitation Treaty all craft under GO!) tons, provided that they cany no more than four G-ineh guns, and had no more speed than 20 knots.

Before the Conference, Japan had made it ' known in press circles that Baron Saito and Count Ishii were armed with the fullest powers, but to-day Baron Saito declared that the British proposals have unexpectedly embraced important Japanese propositions relating to the capital ships. He added—“We do not complain. We are ready to consider any suggestion for a reduction of naval armaments whenever and hv whomsoever it is made; but this

new question necessitates instructions from jokio. The main question for the present Conference, namely, the apportionment of the whole range of auxiliaries, scout, proctors, destroyers, commerce raiders, mine layers, transports, munition ships and supply ships of every kind, and submarines is a work of almost superhuman subtlety : but the human mind, inspired by i'ove and goodwill, can sort out the tangle.” Count Isbii, when questioned closely, said that the question of a ratio for the three Rowers covering cruisers has not yet been discussed. He said-—- •' We do not think that the ratio which lias been applied to the capital ships ought necessarily to he extended to the other vessels. Japan intends to osk that her strength in cruisers shall lie based on her own requirements.”

Count Ishii added that Japan had no intention of proposing any separate security treaty on naval bases in the I’aeilie. lie said—“ It is outside our instructions, ami we have- no proposition to make on that point. The Australian Press Association understands these clear declarations of the Japanese views must he most unwelcome to the United States, a-, (lie American writers have made no secret of their desire to enlist Japan's aid in opposition to Britain’s capital ships pt'oposa I.